Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is all we can think about, it is important for us to remember our general health concerns too.
As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, our focus is on Men’s Health Awareness Month this June.
We recommend a medical check-up every six months – this includes a blood pressure check, glucose and cholesterol blood tests, as well as a general medical examination
From the age of 40, we should add a PSA to the blood tests which is the Prostate Specific Antigen. Many middle-aged men will develop an enlarged prostate at some stage. This causes various symptoms including needing to pass urine more often during the night, a reduced urinary stream or only droplets, difficulty passing urine or the urge to go more frequently. Obviously, prostate cancer must always be excluded, but very often the cause is a benign overgrowth of the prostate which is easily managed with medication.
Mental health is a tricky subject with many men, who feel the pressure to be the provider and the backbone of their families. It is important for us all to be taking care of each other through these trying times. As stress levels have risen in the past few weeks, so have the physical symptoms of anxiety. These include poor sleep, palpitations, increased sweating, headaches, nausea, chest pain or breathlessness. Link this with poor concentration, agitation, uncontrollable worry, or a short temper and feelings of hopelessness, it is a slippery slope down to depression.
Acute stress and anxiety can be managed with non-medical treatments such as exercise, or meditation and rest… but often this isn’t enough and that is where your doctor can assist you with medical treatment to manage the symptoms of acute stress and get you over this hurdle.
Our rooms are open and taking every precaution to keep you and ourselves safe from COVID-19. We are also offering telephonic/virtual consultations if you would prefer. Please do not hesitate to contact our rooms for any guidance.
By Dr Megan Broughton, 031 582 5303, www.umhlangagp.net.